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Calgary, June 9th: AlbertaLiberal Leader David Swann says the Minister of Finance has a duty to immediately provide details on the $6 Billion in borrowing the government authorized by order-in-council.

“There is no information on what this borrowing is for; presumably it is for capital projects but we don’t know which projects or how they are being prioritized,” says Swann. “The NDP also has yet to provide a debt repayment plan so Albertans know how this will be paid off.”

Albertans learned about this latest borrowing via a general order-in-council news release, which Swann describes as problematic.

“Last month the government took the laudable step of calling the legislature into session in order to authorize interim supply for the government,” says Swann. “Part of their explanation for the lack of detail in their interim supply bill was its similarity to the previous government’s plan. But now we have a $3 billion difference in the amount that is being borrowed.

“There are too many questions here for the Finance Minister to not provide a full explanation—something he should have done when the legislature was in session.”

The Calgary Foothills Liberal Constituency Association will be holding a Nomination Meeting on July 24th to prepare for a byelection expected soon.

“Whenever the government calls the vote, we will be ready,” says leader David Swann. “I’m looking forward to giving the people of Calgary-Foothills a chance to vote for a sensible, centrist alternative.”

The byelection, which has not yet been called, must be held to replace former PC leader Jim Prentice, who resigned on election night minutes after winning the seat.

Dr. Swann says the vote will be an opportunity for voters in Calgary Foothills to send an early message to the NDP government.

“The Notley government is already showing signs listening only to their supporters and ignoring the opinions of average Albertans,” says Swann. “The last thing Albertans need is another silent NDP MLA.”

The Wildrose, Swann says, is reverting back to its one-note, right wing roots, and the PCs have lost the confidence of voters after abandoning the seat the night of the election.

“The Alberta Liberals represent the sensible, centrist positions held by most Albertans. We’ll work hard to give the voters of Calgary-Foothills an Alberta Liberal alternative.”

The meeting will be held at the Symons Valley United Church located at 38 Kincora Rise NW Calgary. Anyone interested in seeking the nomination should contact Dave Fisher, President of the Calgary Foothills Liberal Constituency Association, via email at dndfisher@telus.net

“Today’s AG report documents the total failure of the previous regime to make progress in the area of care for those with mental health and addictions,” says Swann. “The PCs ignored recommendations from the AG, left their own action plans to collect dust, and simply played lip-service to improving the delivery of care.

“This failure has incredible economic and human costs, with individuals left to navigate a system with too many gaps in services.”

Swann was appointed by Premier Notley to co-chair a review of mental health care delivery along with MLA Danielle Larivee.

“I expect this report by the AG will certainly inform our work,” says Swann. “We have the benefit of a large collection of literature that we have to review, prioritize and make recommendations based on.

“Our biggest lesson today is the need for action to follow these studies, and the need for us to make sure our recommendations are actionable and close these gaps in service.”